Speak OUT Against Monsanto

WHAT: On Sunday, Feb. 21, several organizations and social networking sites will join in a protest against Monsanto’s patent domination over OUR food supply. Monsanto is one of the largest producers of genetically engineered (GE) seed, and developed the milk producing hormone rBGH for dairy cattle. This company is also the developer of numerous PCBs, Agent Orange, DDT, and is responsible for persecuting small (and large) farmers.

WHY: To halt the most powerful threat to the safety of OUR food supply from GE foods and fibers, and to promote a safe and affordable food supply from non-patented, non-GE seeds.

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: San Diego Convention Center, at Fifth Ave, and Harbor Drive. Banners and signs are encouraged.

Permaculture: Getting Started

Permaculture is an approach to designing agricultural systems (and human settlements) that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies; a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature.

You don’t need to be a farmer to begin integrating permaculture methods into your garden or yard.

Click here to read an article by Jim Ruen on how to begin with subtle changes.

Earthquake Relief Fund

The Cooperative Development Foundation's (CDF) Cooperative Emergency Fund is accepting donations for Haiti recovery. Donations will be used to help cooperatives and cooperators affected by the earthquake to rebuild their facilities and their lives. CDF is working with ACDI/VOCA and the NRECA International Foundation, who run cooperative development programs in Haiti, to send volunteer cooperators to help in this effort. CDF does not take any fee or charge any overhead for any use of its Emergency Fund, so every cent donated will go toward helping cooperatives and cooperators affected by the earthquake.

Donations made through Google checkout will not be assessed any processing fee due to a grant received from Google.

CDF has received and distributed over $275,000 for cooperative relief and recovery for disasters including the 1997 flooding in North Dakota, the 1998 Kenyan embassy bombing, the 2001 earthquake in El Salvador, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. If you would like to contribute on-line, please go to www.cdf.coop. If you would like to contribute by check, please make it payable to Cooperative Development Foundation, note that it is for Haiti, and send it to:

Cooperative Development Foundation

2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 800

Arlington, VA 22202

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Thomas, CDF's Executive Director, at (703) 302-8093 or sthomas@cdf.coop